---
title: "Shadow minister warns North Sea drilling ban will weaken UK economy"
publisher: "Stockmark.IT"
author: "Stockmark.IT Website"
published: "2026-11-13T08:10:04+00:00"
modified: "2026-11-13T08:10:04+00:00"
date: 2026-11-13
canonical: "https://stockmark.it/video-uk-government-accused-of-knowing-deep-down-drilling-ban-is-wrong/"
category: "Business"
categories: ["Business", "Economy"]
image: "https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/shadow-minister-warns-north-sea-drilling-ban-will-weaken-uk.png?fit=1536%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1"
format: "news"
language: "en-GB"
---

# Shadow minister warns North Sea drilling ban will weaken UK economy

**Published:** November 13, 2026
**Author:** Stockmark.IT Website
**Categories:** Business, Economy
**Featured image:** ![Shadow minister warns North Sea drilling ban will weaken UK economy](https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/shadow-minister-warns-north-sea-drilling-ban-will-weaken-uk.png?fit=1536%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1)

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The United Kingdom risks becoming economically weaker and poorer as a direct consequence of the government’s decision to prohibit new North Sea oil and gas exploration licences, according to the shadow secretary of state for Scotland. Harriet Cross argued that the measure, which is included in the energy independence bill, will result in significant unemployment and undermine the nation’s industrial base. She stated that the government must recognise that this legislative choice is detrimental to the country’s long-term interests.

Cross addressed the energy minister, Michael Shanks, during a debate at Westminster, emphasising that the oil and gas sector extends far beyond individual projects such as Jackdaw and Rosebank. She noted that the industry employs more than 100,000 people and supports a critical supply chain that is essential for the deployment of renewable energy, nuclear power, and other defence and energy technologies. Cross criticised the prevailing attitude among some senior politicians and members of the public, suggesting that the sector is frequently undermined and penalised despite its necessity. She questioned how any credible government could justify legislating a ban on oil and gas licences when the country requires these resources, arguing that without domestic production, the UK would be forced to import them.

In response, Michael Shanks declined to comment on the specific future of the Rosebank field, noting that the project is currently subject to an ongoing regulatory process. He explained that the secretary of state for energy will eventually decide whether to grant consent, a decision that will weigh environmental effects against other relevant considerations, including the potential advantages of the project proceeding. Shanks stressed that the government will not make decisions incompatible with the UK’s climate obligations, but he refused to discuss the merits or demerits of the Rosebank project in order to avoid undermining the current regulatory process.

Shanks shifted the focus to broader energy security issues, referencing the recent approval of the Jackdaw gas field. He stated that the Jackdaw decision supports the country’s energy security, protects hundreds of jobs, and is expected to add an estimated 2.9 billion pounds to the UK economy. The minister confirmed that the decision was fully in line with climate commitments and that gas is expected to begin flowing from the field in the coming days to meet demand across Britain. He cited recent heatwaves and extreme weather events as evidence of the critical importance of addressing the climate crisis and accelerating the transition to clean energy.

Acknowledging that the UK will still require oil and gas to heat homes, power the country, and support industry until electrification increases, Shanks reiterated the government’s pragmatic approach. He rejected the characterisation of the administration as one that simply turns off the taps, while also arguing that it cannot be a government that drills every last drop. The minister emphasised the need to manage the transition and build for future energy needs in line with legally binding net zero commitments. He described the desired energy mix as one that combines oil and gas with a rapid push towards renewables.

Shanks concluded by asserting that the transition would be just, pointing to the government’s ambition to expand clean energy employment. He stated that the number of clean energy jobs is being tripled in Scotland, at least doubled in Wales and Northern Ireland, and increased in almost every region of England. This strategy, he said, supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the UK, ensuring that the shift away from fossil fuels delivers economic benefits as well as environmental progress.

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